Other Bands Playing Mingus

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Congratulations to all the Finalists!

On Sunday, February 17th, competition finalists gathered to honor the memory and music of Charles Mingus. Each band gave a commendable performance and displayed incredible heart and dedication. Adjudicators considered rhythm, improvisation, interpretation, musicianship, and “Mingus Spirit” in their evaluations.

“The latest product of the collaboration between Foden’s Band and their Composer in Residence Andy Scott will be heard at the RNCM Festival of Brass on 28 January at 7.30pm. The new work Spirit of Mingus, commissioned in 2011 by Foden’s as part of the ongoing relationship with the composer, will receive its world premiere under the baton of principal conductor Mike Fowles in a performance entitled Band Classics…and all that Jazz.”

James Newton, master flute player and current Professor of Music at UCLA, toured with the Mingus Dynasty Band back in the 1990’s and has been a Mingus fan ever since. He is also the Director of the Department of Ethnomusicology at UCLA and has just written that a Charles Mingus Ensemble is being formed to carry on Mingus music and the Mingus workshop approach to tackling music! Coincidentally, the 7-piece Mingus Dynasty will perform at UCLA’s Royce Hall on Friday, March 16, 2012, including musicians Alex Foster, Donald Edwards, Avishai Cohen, Boris Kozlov, Ku-umba Frank Lacy and more! To be continued……!